INFO FILE

More details on all these points from our yacht stations and information centres

Moorings

• For Broads Authority 24-hour free moorings see map on centre pages

• Broads Hire Boat Federation (BHBF) operators allow other member companies’ boats to moor in their boatyards free of charge, subject to availability; look out for the BHBF logo at boatyards or check your skipper’s manual

• Many other places also provide moorings

Tides

• All Broads rivers are close to the sea so are all affected by tides (or are tidal)

• Consideration of tidal flow may be important as journeys by boat are harder and slower when the flow is against you

• Rise and fall of the tide is on average about 2.2m/7’ at Great Yarmouth and Reedham, while at Norwich it’s about 60-90cm/2’-3’ and at Wroxham it’s about 15cm/6’’

• There are usually two high tides and two low tides each day but times vary daily

• Knowing when high and low tide times occur can be important for getting under bridges, and tides can create strong currents in certain areas

• If you are staying on a holiday boat, your skipper’s manual may include tide tables

Broadcaster tide tables

• These show times for low tide at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, close to Breydon Water

• We include these times because at Breydon Water it is essential to pay careful attention to the tide in your planning

• Read the instructions for crossing Breydon Water on page 30

Posts

• Where there are red and green posts, keep in the main channel between them

• Red and green posts and buoys don’t mean red for danger and green for go – they mark the edges of channels

• Yellow posts usually mark a hazard – keep well clear and keep to channel Water

• For water points at Broads Authority moorings see map on centre pages (some are seasonal, such as Gay Staithe and West Somerton)

• Water points are available at many other moorings and boatyards (small charge)

• Boil water from all water points before drinking

• Waste water from boats, except sewage, empties into the waterways, so use biodegradable washing-up liquid and other cleaning products, and use only small amounts

• Pump-out services available at many boatyards throughout Broads

• Absorb oil on to kitchen paper and put paper in bin

Paddlesports

• See page 16

Sailing events

If you find yourself on the water during a regatta:

• Keep close to the right-hand bank and slow down as you pass through

• Sailing boats have right of way

• If they are zigzagging across the river to catch the wind, slow down and try to pass behind them

• Make your course clear – do not weave about

• Watch for indications on when to pass, but do not put yourself or others in danger, or just moor up to watch

• Where channels are provided for safe passage, stay in channel

• Listen to and follow advice from rangers or safety patrol boats

Oulton Broad racing

• Races held Thursday evenings, bank holidays and some Sundays

During powerboat racing:

• Do not enter or leave via main body of broad where event is taking place

• Keep speed down and follow instructions from patrol boats, rescue boats and yacht station staff for safe passage and mooring North Walsham and Dilham Canal

• For small craft only, charge or donation payable to the trust nwdct.org

Peace and quiet

• Be sensitive to your neighbours –don’t leave your engine idling late at night or early in the morning

• Be aware of radio and TV volume too, especially when the roof of your boat is open continued on page 32 continued from page 31

Tolls

• Boat owners who are already registered with the Broads Authority can renew annual tolls online

Slipways

• There are many slipways and launching points – some free, some with charges

• Many boatyards also have slipways – charges apply Electric charging point cards

• £1 from Broads National Park information centres and yacht stations at Hoveton, Ranworth, How Hill, Norwich, Reedham and Great Yarmouth, and from some shops and boatyards

• Keep cards away from mobile phones – they can interfere with credit on cards

• See link below for details on where to find electric charging points, how to use them and where to buy cards

Mutford Lock

• Between Oulton Broad and Lake Lothing at Lowestoft –limit of hire boat navigation

• Not for use by hire boats

• For private boats, call 01502 574946 or 01502 531778, 24 hours ahead, to book a passage (£17)

Info file

• broads-authority.gov.uk/moorings

• broads-authority.gov.uk/tides

• broads-authority.gov.uk/tolls

• broads-authority.gov.uk/slipways

• broads-authority.gov.uk/charging-points

• broads-authority.gov.uk/overseas

BROADS BEAT

• Now in their 28th year – a team of Royal Yachting Association-trained police officers and support staff who patrol the Broads throughout the year, preventing and detecting crime, reducing anti-social behaviour and disorder, assisting boaters and ensuring the safety of all on land or water

• Officers work with the other emergency services and partnership agencies, including the Broads Authority, RNLI, Border Force, Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, and Environment Agency

• Broads Beat is supported by many businesses and is the UK’s longest-running police and public sponsorship scheme

• Call them on 101 for non-emergencies, or email broadsbeat@norfolk.police.uk

• Follow their daily activities on Twitter @BroadsBeat

Journey times in the Broads (in hours)

Times are a rough guide only. When planning your journey remember traffic, tide and weather may make it take longer.

Northern Rivers/ Broads RiverBure

ColtishallWroxhamHorningAntMouthThurneMouth Acle StraceyArmsMillGreatYarmouth PotterHeighamHicklingStaithe BartonBroadStalham RiverThurne

Southern Rivers/ Broads

Waste Disposal

• Recycling and other waste disposal facilities are often available near moorings or in towns and villages

• Be careful with waste –don’t leave bags at the back of boats where they could easily fall into the water

• Dispose of waste at proper sites – don't leave bags at sides of moorings or adjacent roads and don't overload bins or leave bags by bins if bins are full

• If necessary, hang on to waste till you reach the next site

• Discarded litter and fishing tackle can entangle and kill wildlife

Boat waste facilities on each river (available at time of compilation)

Wensum / Yare

Norwich Yacht Station

Brundall: Broom Boats, Silverline Marine (both hire craft only)

Langley Dyke

Rockland Staithe

Loddon: Staithe, Pye’s Mill; Maffett Cruisers, Pacific Cruisers (both hire craft only)

Reedham Quay

Bure

Coltishall: Kings Head

Wroxham/Hoveton: Broads National Park Information Centre;

Barnes Brinkcraft, Norfolk Broads Direct (both hire craft only)

Salhouse Broad Horning: Ferry Marina (hire craft only); Swan Inn

Ranworth Staithe

Acle: Acle Bridge

Moorings (car park); Bridgecraft (hire craft only)

Great Yarmouth Yacht Station

Ant

Stalham: Richardson’s (hire craft only)

Sutton Staithe

Barton Turf Staithe car park

Neatishead Staithe

Irstead Staithe

Ludham Bridge Staithe

Thurne

Hickling: Pleasure

Boat Inn

Horsey Mill

Repps Staithe

Potter Heigham: Staithe; Herbert Woods (hire craft only)

Ludham: Womack

Staithe

Waveney

Geldeston: Locks Inn

Beccles Yacht Station

Burgh St Peter: Waveney

River Centre (hire craft only)

Oulton Broad Yacht Station

Somerleyton

Burgh Castle

Waste • broads-authority. gov.uk/waste